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How do you get to be an "American Society for Cell Biology Fellow?" Let's talk about the process. Most importantly, one has to be nominated, either by a colleague or self-nomination. Nominees are then reviewed by a "Fellows Nomination Review Committee." 1/ https://twitter.com/ASCBiology/status/1309131751873183746
The pool of nominees is dependent on the membership of the ASCB to do the nominating. What is the ASCB looking to recognize? The call says "outstanding contributions to the field of cell biology and to the community of cell biologists through their service to ASCB."
"Contributions" is plural, which happens over a career. Until recently, "service" was only the purview of more senior folks. This suggests that successful candidates would likely be more senior and more connected within the society. Who are the evaluators of applicants?
The "Fellows Nomination Review Committee" is going to be made up of people who have had opportunity to contribute to service. How can one have input into this process if one is feeling like they're on the outside and not a typical "influencer?"
First, nominate scientists for the award. Feel like you deserve it? Nominate yourself (easier said than done). Feel weird nominating yourself? Solicit a nomination from someone who can be champion you. I've taken the 2nd approach with mixed success. https://www.ascb.org/grants-awards/awards/
Second, put yourself in a position to influence the decision making processes of your society. It is work to change a structure that has existed with a particular momentum. ASCB is trying to improve the representation in decision-making spaces. It needs your help to do so.
For this to be effective, nominations/self-nominations likely need to be paired with seeking out and recruiting new voices. The Society has some sense that improvements need to happen, & are moving to do so. Those efforts depend on membership input for success.
Want the 2021 Fellows to be different? Are you an ASCB member? Do you want to drive the direction the Society is moving? The Society says that we want your input, so take us up on the opportunity. Your active engagement holds us accountable. https://www.ascb.org/society-news/ascb-to-take-action-on-diversity-equity-and-inclusion/
I'm an ASCB Council member with a seat at the table with @NeedhiBhalla, @stephgupton1, @janetiwasa, & others. We are trying to move the needle ourselves. Those efforts will be more effective with your input at all levels of the Society's leadership, like taskforces & committees.
The work is not easy. By definition, it will be disruptive of the status quo. It will not get better on its own, but it can get better if we work to shape the Society. @ASCBiology can better serve its membership & more appropriately recognize their valuable contributions.
Worth noting, *only* full and emeritus members can nominate fellows. No grad students, no postdocs, no other membership types. Maybe that's an unnecessarily limitation that limits inclusion.
